After two weeks of being "unplugged," I finally have internet -- at my house. It is slow, much slower that I am used to (especially my blog site), but I am still SO VERY thankful that it is here. It was NOT easy.
Indonesia, though very modern in some ways, is not what one would expect in the West. Internet, something we in the west consider a non-negotiable total NEED, is not necessarily seen that way here.
We hit our first major roadblock when our landlord said we couldn't hook up the landline. The broadband internet cannot be hooked up without it and so after waiting over a week to get it hooked up, we find out it isn't going to happen. On to plan B...
Across from the school is an internet place that offers satellite internet at a cheaper rate. The school asked us if we would be the guinea pigs of this service (since the school has moved about 45 minutes from its old location ALL of the staff have had to move to a new area and EVERYTHING in untried and untested). Sure...given the fact it will be satellite or no internet, we said we would give it a try. Jason went in last Thursday to sign up. They said they could do it except for the fact that they didn't actually HAVE any satellites. Figures. Anyway, I have patiently waited for them to order one from Singapore and today they came and hooked it up. We are on a three day trial so we'll see how it goes. Beggars cannot be choosers.
I have tons to catch up on -- emails galore and tons of other things. Please be patient as I get caught up. If I owe you an email, chances are I haven't even read it yet.
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Internet issues aside, we are loving things here. It feels good to feel so at home after such a short time. We love the pulse and people of Asia so much. As I try to soak everything in all at once I keep having to remind myself that I get to stay here as long as I want.
And as much as I love the pulse of the big city, I am LOVING living OUTSIDE the city. The school built their new building in a new development outside the city. It is rather idyllic...quiet neighborhoods, no people, little traffic, palm tree lines streets, etc. But, when the city beckons (as it has every day since we have been here since we can't do much in the way of shopping here) it is a 30-45 minute drive in.
Over the next few days I will share more about our first two weeks here. We've been busy!
Alrighty...here goes the first major test of my newly installed internet...will this post go through or will I lose it?
So happy for your all and continue to pray for the transition and all the details. I totally get what you're saying! :) Hope you're up and feeling operational quickly. Hugs!!
Posted by: SteinyGirl | August 12, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Good to hear you all are doing well!
Posted by: jennyg | August 13, 2008 at 01:35 AM
Hey! =) I am not sure I ever posted here, but I read your blog often. I am glad that you're back online.
Hugs! God bless!
Posted by: Elaine | August 13, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Glad to hear everything is falling into place. Sounds like a very exciting adventure!
Posted by: Laura | August 13, 2008 at 02:28 AM